Johannesburg, South Africa's economic hub and often called the "New York of Africa," is rich in art, history, and culture. The city blends sophisticated style with a raw, inner-city vibe, showcasing the best of Africa's creative talents. Modern African art merges with contemporary design, creating a striking impact. The city's revival is evident in the vibrant urban life seen through street art and graffiti on inner-city walking tours and the transformed university suburbs. Braamfontein, with its Constitution Hill, art galleries, and restaurants, exemplifies this regeneration, offering a funky, offbeat, and captivating experience.

In upscale areas like Sandton, Rosebank, and Melrose, visitors find a wealth of shopping, dining, and activities amid leafy suburbs. No visit to Johannesburg is complete without exploring Soweto, famously home to Nelson Mandela. Key historical sites like Mandela's house, the Hector Pieterson Museum, and Regina Mundi Cathedral highlight the significance of South Africa's turbulent past and the hard-won democracy.

Upon arrival, be greeted at the door of your aircraft with a sign displaying your name. If your plane stops on the apron instead of at the terminal, a bus will shuttle you to the terminal. Your Meet and Greet service will meet you as you get off the bus and assist with immigration, baggage collection, and customs before transferring you to your hotel to check-in.

Today you will take a shuttle flight from Johannesburg to Tswalu, in the Northern Cape. The Northern Cape is South Africa's largest and least populated province, known for its arid, semi-desert landscapes and tough terrain. The province features endless horizons, a scorching sun, and parched earth. Summers are intensely hot, while winter nights are freezing with dramatic thunderstorms. Long roads stretch out to some of the country's most remote national parks.

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, spanning 3.6 million hectares and shared with Botswana, is famous for its black-maned lions, big cats, and birds of prey. The Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park and Augrabies Falls National Park host unique plants and animals adapted to the harsh environment, while Namaqua National Park is known for its vibrant spring flowers. The Northern Cape is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including meerkats, oryx, springboks, bat-eared foxes, and hyenas, with Augrabies hosting a population of endangered black rhinos.

Beyond its historic towns, diamond mining sites, and the Great Hole of Kimberley, the Northern Cape's sense of remoteness and dramatic beauty make it a fascinating destination.

Tswalu Kalahari is South Africa's largest private wildlife reserve, featuring vast open plains, dunes at the base of the Korannaberg mountains, and expansive grasslands. Located in an ecological transition zone, it offers sightings of zebra, lions, wild dogs, and possibly pangolins. Start your day with an early morning game drive in open vehicles, pausing for a coffee break to enjoy the sounds of the bush and the scenic landscape. After some rest and a nap back at camp, embark on a late afternoon drive to find the animals that become active at dusk. As night falls, use spotlights to help locate wildlife. At Tswalu, you can marvel at the crystal-clear night skies and watch weather fronts sweep across the savannahs. Nature walks and rock art excursions provide fascinating experiences for those with extra energy.

This morning, take connecting shuttle flights from the Northern Cape to the Greater Kruger National Park area. You will be met and transferred to your luxurious lodge in the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve. As you travel along the park roads, the sun warms your face and the dry air catches in your throat, putting your senses on high alert. This is the real Africa, far removed from the hectic pace of life, and home to Africa's Big 5. Greater Kruger National Park is teeming with life, from the nervous twitching of impala herds after a night of predator activity to wild dogs playfully running alongside the road. You'll marvel as a herd of elephants emerges from the bush, only to disappear silently back into the landscape.

Covering over 2 million hectares of untouched wilderness, Kruger's biodiversity supports a wide variety of game and bird species. The dry northern region features Baobab trees, scrubland, and rocky outcroppings that stretch for miles, with animals often gathering around water sources. As you move south, the park becomes busier, with more animals and a changing landscape of grasslands and acacia woodlands.

Along the western borders, private reserves like Sabi Sands and Timbavati connect to Kruger, offering an exclusive game experience with the flexibility of night drives and off-road 4x4 safaris. Riding in an open vehicle, wrapped warmly against the night chill, is an unforgettable experience. The call of a nightjar overhead and the flash of eyes reflecting from the bushes add a unique twist to your safari. When you lean back and look up, the crisp night skies seem to stretch on forever.

The Sabi Sands is a 65,000-hectare private reserve, renowned for being one of the few places where you can see the Big 5 in a single day. It features diverse habitats with the Sand and Sabi Rivers running through it, a wide variety of wildlife, and a reputation for frequent big cat sightings. Start your day with an early morning game drive in open vehicles, taking a break for coffee while you enjoy the sounds of the bush and the scenery. After some rest and a nap back at camp, head out again in the late afternoon when the bush is most active. Enjoy sundowners as night falls, then use spotlights to search for nocturnal creatures. For those looking to be more active, a guided walking safari is a great way to learn about smaller animals and plants.

Today, you bid farewell as you head to the airport to begin your journey home or to your next destination.